Ruben H. Johnson

After graduating from the University of Arkansas in 1955 with a degree in animal science, Ruben H. Johnson joined the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service as associate county agent in Washington County. While Johnson, now 83, began his career at the local level, he quickly was promoted to the state office after two years. While in Washington County, Johnson started the 4-H pullet chain funded by the Sears-Roebuck Foundation. His work with poultry in Washington County led to his promotion to UACES Poultryman in 1957. Johnson’s accomplishments included his educational work on broiler production and the initiation of some of the earliest work on proper use of poultry litter. After working as poultryman for seven years, Johnson was promoted to two divisional positions for the Southwest District: district resource development specialist (1964-70) and district agent (1970-75). In 1975, Johnson became UACES State Leader for Agriculture where he had administrative responsibility for 35 counties. Under his leadership, specialists and agents increased educational programs, such as research verification programs in various commodities. With the latest research available, production yields increased and production costs decreased. Johnson’s major accomplishments were his appointment to the position of UACES Acting Director in 1981 and securing a $904,000 grant to study broiler production. As a result of that grant, four broiler houses were constructed in Savoy for broiler research. Johnson retired in 1988 and moved to Magazine where he uses his Extension experience to obtain grants for local organizations, such as the Magazine Rural Fire Department, Booneville Development Corporation and the town of Magazine. He’s a Korean War veteran and retired from the Arkansas Army National Guard as a colonel in 1984.